Minor Projects

There are 2 projects in the Environmental Geography minor. For each project, you will be working in a team of 4-8 students to bring together some deliverables, such as a report. You will be graded both individually and as a team.

These projects are:

Environmental Change (9 ECTS)

Students gather around their mentor as he explains the basics of using a bore drill properly

This project kicks off the minor, becoming the very first course experience students encounter. In this project, you will explore an ecological wonder nestled between the busy Dutch cities of Tilburg and s’-Hertogenbosch. The Loonse en Drunense dunes are the main focal point of this project. Students will investigate the various change—both direct and indirect– that will take place within the dune nature reserve in terms of land use, ecology and the human impact of visitors and conservation methods. Students will have a hand-on experience in gathering the data they need in order to make a proper assessment of the area. They will compare physical geography with the maps provided on internet databases and track the changes in the sand area and greenery. They will perform experiments on soil and flora samples they gather themselves in order to get at a conclusion at the effectivity of the dunes’conservation effort by the Natuurmonumenten, the client for this project.

Project Deliverables

Assignments on Blackboard

Blog – Weekly updates and final report

Student Presentations – Big blue button

For a more in-depth description of the project, visit a student site created solely for the project: The Dune Whisperers

Biobased Environment (9 ECTS)

In comparison to the previous project, this one has no field research. Instead, this project focuses on laboratory techniques and researching from solid sources. The main focus is to analyse and appraise the potential of a particular biobased feedstock group and their ability to enter the economic market as a alternative to fossil fuels. The student team must gather the data from legitimate sources and combine it with their laboratory analysis in order to conclude the feasibility of their refinery feedstock.